Rassie Erasmus predicts that the French crowds at the World Cup will be as hostile as ever, and the Springboks are preparing accordingly.
The Springboks will turn their focus from the truncated three-round Rugby Championship to the 2023 World Cup in France, where they will compete against Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, and Romania for a spot in the playoffs.
Having faced France in Marseille in November, though, the Springboks are familiar with the aggressive atmosphere of French stadium spectators during highly contested matches. And the Springboks anticipate nothing less from the French during this year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Rassie Erasmus, the director of rugby for South African Rugby, asserts that not only will the Boks be motivated by the hostile environment, but they have also organized a World Cup warm-up in a similarly antagonistic and confrontational context.
Two Springboks, two weddings, on the same day!
The Springboks’ first of three World Cup warm-up games will be played against Argentina at the Vélez Stadium in Buenos Aires, according to SA Rugby’s announcement of the Springboks’ full schedule for the year.
And Erasmus believes the match will complement the Springboks’ preparations for the World Cup.
“Playing against Argentina in South America is a unique experience because their fervent home crowd brings out the best in their team,” Erasmus explained.
“As a result, our team will be well-prepared for the Rugby World Cup if they play in this environment, especially since we got a taste of the atmosphere at the international extravaganza during our match against France in Marseille last November.”
The Springboks should now move their attention to the RWC 2023.
SPRINGBOKS COMPETITIONS FOR THE 2023 Rugby Championship:
Springboks versus. Australia, 8 July (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Springboks against. New Zealand, 17 July (Venue and time TBC)
Springboks against. Argentina, 29 July (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
World Cup preparations:
✈ 5 August: Springboks against Argentina (Vélez Stadium, Buenos Aires)
✈ 19 August: Springboks vs Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
South Africa vs. New Zealand on August 25 (Twickenham Stadium, London)
Rugby world championship:
South Africa vs. Scotland (10 September, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
September 17: South Africa versus Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
September 23: South Africa versus Ireland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris)
South Africa vs. Tonga (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille) on October 1.
The teams competing in these knockout matches will be chosen as the World Cup unfolds, therefore it is uncertain if the Springboks will continue past the pool stage. Nonetheless, the Springboks might theoretically reach the 2023 World Cup final.
The quarterfinals play sequence is as follows:
QF 1 — Winner Pool C vs Runner up Pool D
QF 2 — Winner Pool B vs Runner up Pool A
QF 3 — Winner Pool D vs Runner up Pool C
QF 4: Pool A Winner vs. Pool B Runner-Up
The semi-finals play sequence is as follows:
SF 1 — Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
SF 2 — Winner QF3 v Winner QF4
Third-place matchup: Loser SF 1 versus Loser SF 2.
Final of the World Cup: Winner of SF 1 versus Winner of SF 2.
Springboks anticipate aggressive fans at the World Cup in France similar to this Marseille crowd.
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